Good Morning relocating to Auckland at end of year

TVNZ is relocating its weekday mid-morning programme Good Morning
to Auckland from the end of the year.

TVNZ Chief Executive Rick Ellis said today that a new
mid-morning programme would be launched in 2012 that would be based
out of the company's Auckland Television Centre.

"The Good Morning team have done an outstanding job out of
Avalon. But the implementation of our new multi-million dollar
digital infrastructure and play out facilities in our Auckland TVC
mean we have the opportunity to better utilise staff, technology
and studios and further grow the revenue and profitability of the
show," Mr Ellis said.

"We want to build the show from its current strong base to make
it even more attractive to audiences and advertisers."

Good Morning's move to Auckland will also free up Avalon for
other potential work. TVNZ was looking at options for utilising
Avalon's studios post December 2011, perhaps by third parties for
film or overseas long format television dramas.

Avalon has four purpose built television studios and a high
definition control room as well as extensive set design and build
workshops, wardrobe, make-up and green rooms. There was also an
extensive back lot available for production use.

TVNZ was in early discussions with local and international
interests.

He said TVNZ would exit and sell Avalon after June 2013, when
existing contracts with key customers come up for renewal.

"The utilisation of the studios by third parties could enhance
our potential to sell Avalon in due course. The tower block and
some land on the Avalon site were sold in 2003."

Some Good Morning production staff may be relocated to Auckland
at the end of the year but regrettably there could potentially be
up to 12 Full time equivalent positions redundant and a number of
contract positions affected as a result of the move. Whether or not
there are further redundancies leading up to June 2013 will depend
on the future use of Avalon.

The TVNZ Archive at Avalon will not be impacted by these
changes.

"We'll work this through with staff closer to the time. We're
telling staff now because we want to give people certainty and as
much time as possible to make plans.

"The need for Avalon's large studio facilities for local
television production has steadily decreased over the years with
the outsourcing of programme making and big budget studio based
local shows being less profitable to commission."